MBA Admissions Essays: How Should I Approach Them?

MBA admissions essays are a major part of your MBA application process. Schools learn about different aspects of you, your background and your expectations. Some schools have the same essay(s) topic every intake, some others change it every year. Topics vary a lot, however, you will find that questions about your goals or your reasons for being a good fit for a certain program appear in many schools’ essay prompts. 

This process will take time, energy, writing and rewriting, so we strongly recommend that you dive into self-reflection, brainstorm and plan ahead before you hit the computer. Here are some general guidelines and tips to craft a unique MBA application essay:

• Who is your reader?

First of all, always keep in mind who is reading your essays and what for. On the one hand, essays are one part of the whole admissions process, therefore, you do not need to start from scratch introducing yourself, admissions committees have already read your CV, your online application and letters of recommendation. Do not waste writing space repeating information that can be found somewhere else in your application. Word count is limited and you have to use it wisely. On the other hand, remember what b-schools value: leadership, team-work abilities, emotional intelligence and analytical thinking, so focus on those aspects whenever you are writing about yourself. Do not make a prose version of your CV, do not make a list of your job history, admissions have already read your CV! And, finally, especially in essays about career goals, always tailor your essay to the school you are applying to, what makes you a good fit for that particular school. And also what can you bring to the program?

• Be personal

Second, make your essay one of a kind by being personal. Do not make generalizations, remember that you are telling a story and whether it is about a hard decision you had to make or what you can bring to the table, it will be better illustrated with personal achievements and examples that show the specific traits of your personality and that will make admissions committees interested and intrigued about you. Your past experiences —professional and personal— made you a unique person, combine those with your expectations and how the MBA fits in the plan and you will probably have a great story! For example, one of our students linked the frustration with the banking system in Argentina to his choice of a particular program to help develop fintech solutions in the country. If you say you have great leadership skills, be sure to back that claim up with professional roles, entrepreneurial ventures, or other relevant examples from your experience.

• Ask for feedback

Third, you are not alone! Or you shouldn’t be. Feedback is extremely important for essay writing. If you are too much into your head, you might miss mistakes, weak spots, or leave loose ends in your text. It is easy to digress from your initial idea in an essay, so an extra pair of eyes is always welcomed, especially if you can reach out to current or former MBA students (ideally, from the same b-school you are applying to), people who have been through the same process you are going through right now. 

• Keep it simple

Finally, keep it simple, concise, focused on the specific topic you are talking about. Do not use technical jargon or complex sentences. You are not in a writing contest, writing style is not  your priority, you need to convey your ideas clearly and to the point. Read the questions carefully, do some soul-searching and research, and take your time before starting to write. Do not write what you think admissions committee experts want to read, be authentic! Write, rewrite, read, reread and proofread!

Thanks for reading “MBA Admissions Essays: How should I approach it?” written by Admissions Associate Ana Negishi

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